Fletching jig



March 27, 1962 E. c. SCHNOOR 3,027,156

FLETCHING JIG 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1959 FIG. 1

INVENTOR. EDWARD C. Scnuoon ATTORNEYS;

March 27, 1962 E. c. scHNooR 3,027,156

FLETCHING JIG Filed NOV. 2'7, 1959 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 27 ,24\ we c 23 2a b B 5 7 6 .FJ' c. 6

FIG. 9 He. 10 FIG. I! F'm. 12 FIG. 13

INVENTOR. EDWARD C. SOHNOOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ufhce 3,027,156 FLETCI-IING JIG Edward C. Schnoor, 1022 4th Ave. N., Moorhead, Minn.

Filed Nov. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 855,925 3 Claims. (Cl. 26938) This invention relates generally to archery equipment and more particularly to a novel device for fletching a rrows in which the arrow shaft is held in a manner which will allow the vanes of an arrow to be attached to the shaft in their exact proper location.

For many years the accepted number of feathers or vanes which were fletched to an arrow had been limited to three which were spaced at 120 intervals. However, recent experiment has proved that the use of more and smaller vanes on an arrow offers less resistance, hence more speed and a flatter flight trajectory, and hence better shooting accuracy. Therefore, vanes are now frequently used which are shorter, lower and from 3 to 8 in number. A few fletching jigs have been devised for simultaneously applying three vanes to the shaft, but the professional or expert arrow maker has usually preferred the single vane fletching device due to the generally inferior quality of the fletchings of multiple vane jigs. In view of the above, an object of my invention is the provision of a novel fletching jig which will apply a high quality fletch of from 3 to 8 vanes on an arrow shaft in one set-up, and will also fletch the vanes with any desirable degree of angle or spiral with respect to the shaft of an arrow.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a fletching jig which will apply the vanes quickly and easily, and yet will do so with an extremely high degree of accuracy.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a fletching jig, which, in addition to fletching all of the vanes of an arrow in one set-up, is extremely useful in its ability to replace one broken vanes of an arrow without disturbing the other good ones. Further, this feature is not hindered by the presence of a broadhead on the arrow, since the structure of my novel jig facilitates the insertion of a broadheaded arrow without disturbing any of the remaining vanes.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a fletching jig which has a nook holder which is readily and accurately adjustable so as to position the index of the nock holder in alignment with the cock feather or a position corresponding therewith.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a fletching jig which is simple to use, durable in construction, and which may be economically manufactured.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of my complete fletching jig with an arrow shaft inserted therein and the vane clamps positioned thereon, some parts broken away and some parts shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a view in top plan;

FIG. 3 is a view in bottom plan;

FIG. 4 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1, the vane clamps being omitted;

FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, the vane clamps being omitted;

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section taken generally on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 9-13 are diagrammatic views of the different fletching positions attainable with my novel fletching jig.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the reference letter A represents generally the shaft of an arrow, and the letter B represents the mock of an arrow, which is the portion secured to the rear end of an arrow for positioning the arrow on the bowstring. The reference letter C represents generally the fletching or cumulatively, the feather vanes of an arrow as shown particularly in FIG. 7, which of course, are also sometimes fabricated from plastic and rubber. The reference letter D represents a bowstring, as shown by broken lines in FIGS. 9-13.

The reference numeral 1 represents generally the main structure of my fletching jig, and is comprised of a pair of indexing heads represented generally by the numerals 2 and 3, respectively, and maintained in fixed relation with one another by a plurality of rods 4. The heads 2, 3, are axially associated with the axis of an arrow shaft, and may be easily fabricated so as to be annular in transverse section. The indexing head 2 is preferably, and as shown, axially formed to define a base for standing the jig 1 on a horizontal surface whereby the other head 3 is positioned vertically above the base head 2. The head 2 has a nock holder, represented generally by the numeral 5, axially seated therein for rotatable adjustment with respect to the heads 2, 3. The neck holder 5 may be of any conventional structure, but it preferably and as shown comprises a generally cylindrical bushing 6 having a mock rod 7 seated generally transversely therein. The bottom of the head 2 has a plurality of indicia 8 circumferentially spaced about said bushing 5 and cooperating with a single mark 9 on said bushing 5 for the purpose of properly aligning the index rib b of the mock B of an arrow to be fletched with the vanes C to be placed thereon. The index rib b, which is integrally molded on most nocks B, serves the purpose of helping the archer to quickly nook the arrow on the bow, not shown, in a position which will allow the arrow fletching C to pass by the bow with as little resistance as possible when the arrow is released. For this purpose, the arrow is always nocked with the index rib b in a position normal to the bowstring D, as shown in FIGS. 9-13. Therefore, when the arrow is fletched, the index rib b must be accordingly placed in the proper position, which in the case of a three vane fietch, as shown in FIG. 9, will be in alignment with the cock feather, which is the feather normal to the bowstring D, as above explained. This is easily accomplished by aligning the mark 9 with the indicia 8a. Of course, when more than three vanes are used in fletching an arrow, as shown in FIGS. 10-13, the index rib b must also be accordingly aligned in the proper position, which in the four vane fietch of FIG. 10 is easily obtained by simply aligning the mark 9 with the indicia 8b. Where the alternate four vane fletch of FIG. 11 is desired, the mark 9 is then aligned with the indicia 8c. When the six, FIG. 12, and eight, FIG. 13, vane fietches are used, the circumferential closeness of the vanes tends to reduce the advantages gained by proper location of the index rib b. However, since the vanes are radially shorter, the drag caused by their passing over the bow, not shown, in a position nearly normal thereto is not appreciably greater. In this respect the least resistance is obtained with the six vane fletch of FIG. 12 by aligning the mark 9 with the indicia 8d, and similarly aligning the mark 9 with the indicia Be When the eight vane fletch of FIG. 13 is desired. With the use of the indicia 8 and the mark 9, proper alignment of the index rib b is automatically assured, and is quick and easy to obtain. For the purpose of releasably maintaining the neck holder 5 properly aligned after adjusted, the

Patented Mar. 27, 1962 set screw and threaded radial aperture 11, are provided.

The upper indexing head 3 has a fixed outer body portion 12. which has a circular. aperture 13 co-axial therewith. Co-axially disposed within said outer body portion 12, and rotatably adjustable therewith, is anannular inner body portion 14 having a co-axial circular aperture 15 therein for receiving the shaft A of an arrow. The set screw 16 and threaded radial aperture 17 are provided for releasably securing the inner body portion 14 after rotatable adjustments. In order to securely center an arrow shaft A within the annular inner body portion 14 of the head3, a centering plate 18-is adjustably secured to the upper side 19 of said inner body portion14. The centering plate 13 is generally semi-circular and has a generally axially cut V-shaped notch 19' spaced intermediate its diametr-ic edge 28. The arcuately formed sides 21, 22 of both the centering plate 18 and the inner body portion are adjustably held in communication with each other by a pair of circumferentially spaced tabs 23 on said centering plate fastened by a pair of corresponding screws 24. The aperture 15 defined by the inner body portion 14 should be of a diameter large-enough to permit passage of broadheaded arrows therethrough, and also for this purpose, the centering plate 18 has a suitably located slot 25 extending generally radially outward from said notch 19 to permit the passage of the blades of broadheaded arrows, not shown. This important feature will be operatively explained hereafter. So that an arrow shaft A may be accurately and properly centered and releasably secured within said notch 19 of said centering plate 13, a post 26 is mounted on said outer body portion 12 and has an elongated spring 27 depending laterally therefrom to biasingly engage the shaft against said notch 19'.

The bottom of the inner body portion 14 of the upper head 3andthe top of the lower head 2 have circumferentially spaced and radially disposed guide slots.28 opposingly alignable respectively with each other. These slots 28 are spaced so as tofacilitate the fletching patterns shown in FIGS. 913. Vertically disposed between said heads 2, 3 and radially movable toward-and away from an arrow shaft A within said slots 28 for radial displacement from said indexing heads 2, 3, are a plurality of elongated vane clamps each represented generally by the numeral 29. Each of said vane clamps 29 comprises a pair of hingedly connected and generally flat clamping plates '30, 31, together with means represented generally by numeral 36, for biasing the plates 30, 31 in generally fiat engagement with one another. The clamping plates 30, 31 are hingedly connected near their radially outward edges 32, 33 preferably, and as shown, by a pairof spherical bearings 34'seated in longitudinally spaced and cooperating apertures 35 in each of said clamping plates 33, 31 in association with said biasing means 36. Said biasing means 36 preferably comprises a pair of U -shaped spring clamps 37, the radially inward edges 38, of which engage said plates-30, 31 radially inwardly of said bearings 34. The radiallyoutward edges 32, 33 of said clamping plates'30, 31 depend slightly oppositely outwardly to form handles 40 for the easier application of pressure to thereby open and close the vane clamps 29. One of said clamping plates 30 is of a slightly greater longitudinal length than its cooperating plate 31, and the extensions 41 formed thereby communicate with the slots-28.

Forthe purpose of imparting revolution to an arrow, itis sometimes desired to fletch the. vanes C to the arrow shaft A at an angle to the shaft, the front end of each vanebeing centered and the rearof thevane angling in a straight line. therefrom. Such a fletching may be easily and quickly accomplished by my invention merely by looseningthe set screw 16 and slightly rotating the inner body portion l twithin the outer body portion 12. of the upper head 3, andthen tightening the set screw 16. again. It will be obvious that either a left wing fietch or a right 4 wing fletch. may be easily applied by rotating said inner body portion 14 in the desireddirection.

Having described my invention in detail, the simple operative techniques incident to etficient use of my invention will be outlined. After inserting the arrow shaft A through both heads 2, 3, and thereafter placing the neck, B in the nock holder 5, the holder 5 is adjusted and set as earlier explained. Then the required number of vanes C are secured one each within the clamps 29 with only their quill portions c showing. Since the vanes C are trimmed with their quill portions 0 extending outward from one side only of the plane of the vanes, they are placed between the vane clamps 30, 31 with the quill portions 0' extending toward the longer clamping plate 30 in the case of a right wing fietch, as shown in FIG. 7, and oppositely so with a left wing fletch. This arrangement maintains the vanes C in generally perpendicular relationship to the surface of the arrow shaft A. If only three vanes are to be applied, they are patterned as'shown in FIG. 9, but if four vanes are to be applied, then either of the patterns of FIGS. 10 or 11 are used. If six vanes are to be applied, three are first applied in the regular pattern, and then three more are later applied and spaced therebetween. The same repeating procedure of four following four all at even spacing is used when eight vanes are to be applied. When the desired pattern has been chosen, and the angle set'asexplained above (if desired), glue is applied to the exposed quill portions 0' of'the vanes C and the clamps 29 are then inserted in the plate s1ots..28 corresponding with the selected pattern (FIGS. 9-13). Then adequate means, such as rubber bands 42, for biasing the clamps 2% against the shaft A of an arrow, are applied to the jig 1. After the glue has dried, the arrow is removed and the vanes C are suitably trimmed.

If, as oftenis the case, it is desired to replace a single broken vane from an arrow without removing the good vanes, and the arrow is also of the broadhead type, this operation may also be easily accomplished by my inven-. tion without removing the broadhead. The broadheaded arrow is inserted angularly upwardly from the side of the jig and from the bottom of the upper head '3 with one of the blades of the head passing through the slot 25 .of the centering plate 18'. The shaft A is then pulled continuously upward until the neck B may be seated down into the neck holder 5; Then the repair may be made as explained above by using the required number of vane clamps 29.

This invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects; and while I have shown a preferred embodiment thereof, I wish itto be specifically understood that samemaybe modified without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What 1 claim is:

1. In a lietching jig for fietching uptoa maximum of eight arrow vanesin one. set-up; a pair of axiallyspaced indexing heads mounted in a fixedrrelationshipwith one another; one of said heads comprising a nock holder axially seated thereinfor rotatable adjustment with respect thereto and the other said head, and means for releasably securing said noclg holder in any selected angular position; the other of said heads comprising a fixed outer body portion having a circular aperture co-axial therewith, a coaxially disposed rotatably adjustable annularinner body portion seated within said outer bodyportion and adapted to receive. the shaft of an arrow, means for-releasably securing said inner body portion in any selected angular position, a centering plate adjustablysecured to the axially outer sideof said annular inner body portion for centering an arrow shaft therein, said centering plate defining at its generally radially inwardly disposededgea centrally located generally V-shaped notch, and means for releas ably retaining the shaft of an arrow. in engagement with the generally V-shaped notch of said centering plate; and a plurality, at least three and at most eight, of elongated vane clamps for use between said spaced indexing heads; said indexing heads each further defining a plurality, at least three and at most eight, of circumferentially spaced and radially disposed guide slots opposing the other indexing head and aligned therewith; the opposing guide slots of the spaced indexing heads slidably receiving opposite end portions of difierent vane clamps to maintain said clamps in circumferentially spaced radially disposed relationship with freedom for radial movements toward and away from an arrow shaft and for radial displacement from the indexing heads.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said centering plate of said other indexing head also defines an elongated slot which extends generally radially outwardly from the apex of said generally V-shaped notch for allow- 6 ing the passage of the blades of broad-head arrows therethrough.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 in which said means for releasably retaining the shaft of an arrow comprises leaf spring means secured to said outer body portion of said other indexing head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,148,563 Kingsley Feb. 28, 1939 2,286,574 Rohde June 16, 1942 2,836,208 Hoyt May 27, 1958 2,918,097 Thompson Dec. 22, 1959 

